Twas the week before Christmas, and pinned to our house,
Was notification, that the trees must come out.
The order was hung, on our door with great care,
With less than a week, ‘til Saint Nick would be there.
There was no discussion or hope it appeared,
The town made it clear, the lane would be cleared.
It mattered not what, neighbors thought or needed,
The developer’s rights, would not be superseded.
While the timing seemed odd, after months of no work.
It was business as usual, said the town and its clerks.
The town explained, with vigor and wit,
It was simply town policy, and that was it.
It’s true town policy backs the clearing of lanes,
But to “beautify streetscapes,” now that just seems lame.
So we contacted the mayor, with a glimmer of hope,
Maybe he’d value, these trees with the rope.
But as more and more trees are cut down and cleared,
Our town is diminished and our birds disappear.
While the town acknowledges the value of trees,
Developers’ rights, supersede all of these.
While a majority of neighbors, may dislike the decision,
A single developer, trumps all opposition.
As trees start to fall, even before proper study,
The pressure behind it, comes down all to money.
So if you love our town trees, and the benefits they give,
Send a note to our mayor, saying “Let the trees live!”
Peter Wagner
Qualicum Beach